Things to Consider

While we recognize that the evalution of both art and architecture is extremely subjective, the Pug Advisory Board has created guidelines to help simplify the assessment process. Essentially, our overall goal is to determine whether a building's architecture raises or lowers the profile of the street and/or the immediate area.


Certainly, character goes a long way. So ask yourself, does the building exhibit details that give it character or personality? It could be a design element. It could be the materials. But does the building stand out in a way that still fits the surroundings (see context) yet has its own look or something extra that makes it unique?


Bricks or glass? Steel or stone? What are the exterior materials? Do they enhance the quality of design or do they seem an odd choice for the style or the location? Or are they just trendy?


Beauty is only half of it. Look at the architecture in context. Is the building sensitive to its surroundings? Is its scale & proportion (as characterized by height, massing and setback from the street) appropriate for the area? Like a screen door on a submarine, when something is out of place, it's context wasn't fully appreciated when it was constructed.


A rather bold statement, but true nonetheless. Agree or disagree as we might, the goal of the Pugs is to drive interest in Toronto's architecture. Groundbreaking architecture should foster new ideas, inspire thought, cause us to challenge our existing perceptions and even prompt greatness. An innovative building should exemplify at least three (if not more) of the following six characteristics:

01 It should reinterpret historical references or styles. It can/should fuse different styles or languages of design and in extremely rare and definite cases, create an entirely new form.

02 Invite us to interact with the building in a manner unlike other buildings through the innovative use of scale and proportion. When perfectly achieved, it should change our view of the building and its surrounding environment.

03 Incorporate exterior landscaping so that it is harmonious with the surrounding footprint - not in conflict with it.

04 Utilizes unexpected materials or everyday materials in an innovative or unexpected way. The goal of which is to challenge our understanding of these materials (in context of the entire building).

05 Incorporates advances/breakthroughs in engineering, energy efficiency, and/or space configuration which improves the overall functionality of the building.

06 Holds the viewers' interest - not only by day, but also by night through the use of lighting techniques.

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